HAVRE, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeated MSU-Northern 67-62 Thursday night.
 
The Argos (19-7) scored the first basket of the game off an and one layup from sophomore Keanna Salave'a, but a three-pointer from the Skylights (12-15) tied the game at three.  
 
Both teams traded baskets until a three from sophomore Eliannah Ramirez put UP in front 12-10 midways through the second.
 
Each side continued to go back and forth for the rest of the quarter but a pair of threes from senior Ashlee Maldonado and Ramirez gave UP a 20-17 lead heading into the second.
 
Salave'a opened the second with a layup to increase UP's lead to five, and following a basket from the Skylights, a 9-0 run behind a three from sophomore Taliah Lee and a pair of layups from senior Ashlee Maldonado put UP ahead 31-19.
 
The Skylights answered ending the half on an 11-0 run as UP went into the break leading by one.
 
MSU-Northern scored the first 10 points of the third quarter, but UP responded with 16 straight of their own to retake the lead 47-40.
 
The Skylights slowly cut into the Argo lead the rest of the quarter as UP went into the fourth tied at 47.
 
Sophomore McKenna Reggear opened the fourth quarter with a jumper to put UP ahead by two, but neither side could grab a lead by more than three until free throws from Maldonado and a triple from Lee put UP in front 59-53 midways through the quarter.
 
The Skylights would cut the lead to two with 2:22 remaining, but the Argos made their free throws down the stretch as UP defeated MSU-Northern 67-62.
 
Keanna Salave'a led the way with 21 points and 10 rebounds, Ashlee Maldonado scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds while Taliah Lee and Eliannah Ramirez added 10 points apiece.
 
The Argos will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 22 when they travel to Butte, Mont. Tip-off versus Montana Tech is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (MST).